WINTER HAVEN — Spectators should keep a roster tucked under their arms at the Polk County girls weightlifting meet this weekend or they may get confused — the competition is loaded with sisters.

More than 250 girls are expected to flood the Auburndale gym floor for the third annual county meet Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. with the bench press competition and concluding with the clean-and-jerk segment.

Among the field are five sets of sisters, one set of cousins and a deluge of teammate tandems sharing the same last name.

Leading the charge are Haines City twin sisters Sierra and Sasha Carroll, who are both seniors and second-year lifters. Sierra will compete in the 129-pound division and Sasha at 139.

“I have mistaken them before and I used to have to tell them apart by their shoes,” Haines City girls weightlifting coach Pamela Loomans said. “Last year they were in the same weight class so it was even more difficult to tell them apart. But one had (hair) extensions and the other one didn’t. Now they are in two different classes but it is just by a few pounds. But they are intrinsically motivated. They do not need external motivation at all. They just thrive on competition.”

Frostproof will send sisters Gabby and Sharissa Sams to the county meet along with cousins Ashlyn and Alaina Smeal. Gabby, a senior, competes in the 139-pound division with her sister Sharissa, who is a freshman.

“I suggested she lift. I figured it would be good for her. We work out together at school and at home. I try to encourage her to do more than she can do,” said Gabby, who was the 139-pound county champion last year and was a state qualifier. “It’s good because we can encourage each other. She is so much better than she thinks and limits herself, but I will push her for more. I will tell her, this is what you can do but this is what I know you can do.”

But Gabby pointed out there is a downside to competing in the same weight division with a loved one.

“It can be difficult sometimes because part of me doesn’t want to win because then I would have to beat her,” said Gabby, who hits 140 pounds on both the bench and clean and jerk segments. Sharissa is hitting 100 pounds in both events.

Gabby finished 14th at state last season and is aiming for a top-six finish this season, which would fetch a state medal. She is a third-year lifter and also won the county title at 119 two years ago.

George Jenkins will contend with the Cooper sisters — Erica and Emily.

“It is so cool. I had no idea there were so many sisters in girls weightlifting program,” Jenkins coach Zach Hoskinson said. “The sport is new and it is good to know that families are getting involved. I hope we have more sisters in the future trying to recruit siblings.”

Emily, a senior, is a two-time regional qualifier and is a third-year lifter, now competing at 139. Erica, a sophomore, is a second-year lifter competing at 129.

“Weightlifting together is fun and it is a bonding thing,” Emily said. “Sometimes at home we will work out together, and it is cool because I know what will motivate her and what buttons to push. I have a unique position I guess.

“It does help motivate me, too, but it helps that we are not in the same weight class and directly competing against each other.”

Fort Meade will send sisters Katelyn and Karah Holt to the meet. Katelyn is a freshman, who competes at 119 and Karah is a sophomore, lifting at 139. Miners coach Jon Spradlin doesn’t get them confused.

“They are not in the same weight class but they do compete with each other, obviously not matching weight for weight. They have totally different builds, Katelyn is kind of tall and thin and Karah has more of an athletic-type build. They are always positive, great kids and have high GPA’s but they would not pass for sisters if I set up together,” Spradlin said.

Ridge Community, the defending county champion, will enter the meet with Julissa and Jeima Martinez, Damaris and Schuyler Gonzales and Stephanie and Yarielys Morales, though none are sisters.

Lakeland will compete with Aliyah and Lynisha Johnson and Echo and Zhallana Thomas, but neither are sisters.

Bill Kemp can be reached at Bill.Kemp@newschief.com; follow him on Twitter @BillKempSports